Okpara varsity immortalises Zik, Ekwueme Awo, IBB, Abiola, others
Written by Anayo OkoliÂ
 Umuahia—Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, has immortalized some eminent Nigerians by naming some buildings and roads on the campus after them.
The university said the gesture was in recognition of their contribution to the development of education in Nigeria.
The immortalization was approved by the Senate of the University and the University’s Director of Physical Planning, Works and Services has been directed to effect the changes and rename the buildings and roads accordingly.
The eminent Nigerians honoured include Nigeria’s first President, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Dr. J.O.J. Okezie, former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, among others.
According to the approval of the institution’s Senate, which it gave at its 104th Regular Meeting, the university’s main administrative block was name Dr. Alex Ekwueme Building while the main library complex under construction is named after Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
The newly completed large lecture theatre is named Prof. Chinua Achebe Lecture Theatre. The former Pre-Art lecture hall is now renamed Alhaji Mohammedu Liman Lecture Hall. Liman was the university’s first Pro-Chancellor.
The university’s male hostel was named after IBB and now known as IBB Hall while the female hostel is named after Prof. Alele-Williams, the first female vice chancellor in Nigeria. The Postgraduate hall was named after Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and it is now to be known as Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola Hall.
